Load Velocity Profiling is a great way to start individualizing your programming.
But what is it?
Dive in to learn a little bit more about Load Velocity Profiling, and see how you can start implementing it into your training.
What is Load Velocity Profiling?
Load Velocity Profiling (LVP) is something we use to individualize speed training on the physical side.
The goal of load velocity profiling is to identify the right loading for each athlete.
You could compare it to using percent of max in the weight room.
If you went into the weight room and decided you wanted to work on your bench press, you’d have to test and see what your one rep max is then individualize the approach to reach a new one rep max.
LVP is a very similar approach, but for sprinting.
How to test for LVP?
In order to test for this, we’ll use 4 runs, each one giving us insights into the right loading for each athlete.
The test should look like this:
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Free Run -> 30 yds
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25% Body Weight -> 25 yds
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50% Body Weight -> 20 yds
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75% Body Weight -> 15-20 yds
The goal with this is to record the velocity of each load.
You can test via GPS by recording the load and velocity reached with each load or via split times.
Once you conduct the tests, you’re ready to create the load velocity profile. I’ve included a free template for creating your own LVP whether you’re using a GPS or split times: Free LVP Template
What does LVP help with?
So how does using load velocity profiles actually help us?
When an athlete sprints free, unresisted, they typically hit peak power before 1 second and only hold it for a fraction of a second.
So if they are running with no weight, they would only have a fraction of a second where they would hit a peak power range.
With load velocity profiling, we are identifying where the athlete's peak power range is, and giving the athlete more exposure at that peak power range.
This will essentially increase an athlete’s overall horizontal power by increasing their force capabilities as well as some of their velocity capabilities.
For example, at 80% body weight, an athlete will be producing high power ratings for a longer period of time.
Free running however, will only let them experience the peak power range for a fraction of a second.
Load velocity profiling is a helpful and relatively simple way to individualize your programming.
If you want a deeper dive into load velocity profiling, check out the course: Art of Acceleration. It also goes into Force Velocity profiling, which analyzes acceleration ability to further individualized training. Or, you can watch my free beginners video to Load Velocity Profiling on my YouTube channel.
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